Atta Tarar Says Governor’s Rule in KP Would Be Premature
Islamabad:Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar has said that discussing the imposition of governor’s rule or an emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa would be premature at this stage, while accusing the provincial government of failing to maintain law and order.
Speaking on an ARY News programme, Tarar said that as a federal minister, he was required to speak only on verified information and therefore would not comment on speculation. He added that the federal government was assessing the situation and considering what could happen next.
Tarar alleged that governance under the PTI-led KP government had deteriorated and claimed that militants were operating openly in the province. He also accused the provincial government of failing to strengthen the capacity of the police, saying this had contributed to the loss of civilian lives.
Commenting on KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, Tarar said he questioned Afridi’s ability to mobilise public support and referred to his contacts with former political rivals. He also criticised the planned October 4 march to Islamabad, saying that if the KP government wanted to organise a march, it should focus on countering terrorism and protecting citizens rather than confronting the federal government.
On security arrangements in the federal capital, Tarar said Islamabad hosts diplomatic missions and the Diplomatic Enclave. He said the federal government would take comprehensive security measures to protect peace and the lives and property of citizens.
The federal minister’s remarks come amid an ongoing dispute between the federal and KP governments over security policy and the PTI’s planned October 4 march. Federal officials have recently discussed the constitutional possibility of governor’s rule, while Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has rejected such warnings and maintained that he will not change his position because of them.
The PTI-led KP government has also called for a new security policy and argued that decisions concerning the province should involve the provincial government, administration and police.
